Chris Evans Leaves ‘Top Gear’ As Matt LeBlanc Reportedly Seeks New Pay Deal

Chris Evans has announced that he is stepping down from his post as one of the hosts of BBC Two’s motoring show Top Gear.

Chris Evans Quits ‘Top Gear’

Evans, who was followed by critical reviews of his job as a Top Gear host, took to Twitter Monday to confirm that he would not be returning to host a second season of Top Gear.

“Stepping down from Top Gear. Gave it my best shot but sometimes that’s not enough. The team are beyond brilliant, I wish them all the best,” Evans wrote.

Evans added, “Full steam ahead then with Radio 2, CarFest, Children In Need, 500 Words and whatever else we can dream up in the future.”

“[Chris] says he gave it his best shot doing everything he could to make the show a success,” BBC Studios director Mark Linsey said. “He firmly believes that the right people remain, on both the production team and presenting team to take the show forward and make it the hit we want it to be.”

The BBC has confirmed that Matt LeBlanc, who co-hosted with Evans, as well as Rory Reid, Chris Harris, Sabine Schmitz and Eddie Jordan will be returning. The network has also revealed that Evans will not be replaced, meaning that LeBlanc will not get a new co-host. Apparently, LeBlanc is taking the opportunity to seek a new pay deal.

LeBlanc is best known for playing Joey Tribbiani on Friends and a satirized version of himself on HBO’s Episodes.

Get Top Gear DVD Here!